A Letter to TNH

Dear TNH, 

I have noticed through comments, facebook friend requests and twitter followers that many of your writers and editors read the blog. I really appreciate that. It means a lot to see that the premier source of UNH student news enjoys the up and coming phenomenon known as "The University of Nonsensical Happenings."  I look at TNH as my older brother. I am the spoiled younger brother who can get away with what ever I write. But you have editors and rules and you understand grammar and you know how to spell words more then two syllables long without Word spell check and you know how to avoid run on sentences and you understand the basic principles of journalism. I don’t have those things, but as a blogger I have my creativity. Over the past few issues I have noticed some suspicious articles that made me wonder how you came about them.

In a recent issue TNH picked up an AP story about Liberty University. Hmm, I recall writing an article on LU and their ridiculous rules on Sunday April 19th, which was well before your issue. There are thousands of news articles everyday and you just happened to choose one and put it into your paper that I had very recently discussed. I wonder what gave you the idea to research that topic. You’re welcome.

In your issue from Tuesday April 28th (No. 49 Volume 98) there was a front-page article on the UNH advising system. On Tuesday April 21st I wrote an article on some general education classes offered here at UNH. In the final paragraph I called out my advisor for not being helpful at all. I even quoted her saying, “I don't know why they assume that just because I am a professor I can help advise students. I have my own things to worry about.” Your article was about how professor-advisors aren’t helpful. Hmm, again strange similarities… You’re welcome.

In same post I wrote about classes I had this to say about Germs 101: “Germs requires you to buy a clicker and access code which are about $18-20 each, but you probably only use them about 7 times the entire semester.” In this statement I meant that the clickers were a waste of money. And what do I see on the front page of today’s TNH (Friday May 1st)? I see an article about the pros and cons and whether or not clickers are needed. Wow, that’s strike three.

 TNH, I really enjoy that you read the blog, but please stop taking my ideas and turning them into more well written and organized front-page articles. It’s like you’re saying “hey here’s a good idea, now let’s edit it, make it longer and better and print it.” (In my mind the person saying this has a top hot, a monocle and is smoking a cigar.) I am not your creativity slave. I like the relationship we have built, don’t ruin it by taking advantage of the fact that you have a much larger audience than I do. At first I was a little upset about these "coincidences", but I have decided to take this as a compliment. You obviously think that my posts are awesome and you wish that you could be awesome too. I think that is your way of giving me some credit, even though only a very small percentage of students would notice it. I would normally end a post about TNH with “keep up the good work” but I will end this one with: Thanks; I’ll continue to work hard. 

Stay classy, not UMassy.